GROTZ: Pederson has better pieces to play with, but can he put Eagles puzzle together?

In this Sept. 1, 2016, photo, then-Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery walks the field before a preseason game against the Browns in Cleveland. Jeffery alone is a greater offensive weapon than any Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz had to work with last year. But it’s up to Pederson to put together his new offensive weapons in a way that works for the Eagles.
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Expectations were tempered in Doug Pederson’s first year as a professional head coach, common sense telling us the Eagles were transitioning away from the fast break style of ex-genius Chip Kelly.

Choosing rookie Carson Wentz to start at quarterback over sawed-off veteran Chase Daniel after Sam Bradford was traded to the Vikings was a no-brainer.

Whether that really was Pederson’s call, or a decision made by Howie Roseman and his management team, the Eagles got it right.

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The only real question now is whether Pederson and whoever can string a series of good decisions together. Deep down inside, you cannot help but wonder if his DNA is more the guy who led the Eagles to a 3-0 start or the rascal responsible for the 4-9 finish.

Unquestionably the expectations are higher this year for the Eagles, second-round cornerback Sydney Jones’ ruptured Achilles’ tendon notwithstanding. They’re certainly greater for Pederson, who must prove he can win with talent.

The tough decisions start with what the Eagles want to be offensively.

Unable to grow their own wide receivers, the Eagles bought a pair in free agency in veterans Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith, who have pedigree, but obviously no chemistry with Wentz. In the draft the Eagles added third-day picks Matt Hollins and Shelton Gibson. Also selected was running back Donnel Pumphrey, who could play a Darren Sproles-type role.

That’s a lot of skill sets to piece together.

“Well, it’s hard. It’s hard to do,” Pederson said. “You’ve got one football and there are five skill positions to get the ball to and there are a lot of combinations to do that. So as we go and we really understand our personnel in year two as a coaching staff on offense, I think we’ll come up with creative and unique ways to get guys the ball. It doesn’t always have to be in the passing game. We’re going to continue to explore that, obviously, now that we’ve got this new influx of young players who have that ability to touch the football. We’re just going to continue to find ways to do that.”

It’s early, but the draft sure makes it seem like the DGB project is history and that Agholor might be, too. Gibson has touchdown-making ability and kick return skills. That’s not good for Treggs.

It’s safe to say that collectively, the survivors won’t drop a combined 24 passes this season, sixth-most in the league last year.

The endings should change as well. The Eagles’ 28-23 loss last year to the Giants illustrated how painful the pass offense was.

Matthews, slowed by a knee injury, ran a slot fade on fourth down late in the game that took longer to finish than a TV timeout. The ball got there early and that was that. Get open and the Eagles score and are one defensive stop from victory and a 5-3 record.

Instead, Pederson is explaining why he stubbornly tried to convert two fourth downs rather than kick makeable field goals, and how it feels to have lost four of the last five games.

The additions should remedy that this year as Wentz can go up top to Jeffrey (6-3, 218) or, if he’s jammed, to 6-4 tight end Zach Ertz. Hollins is 6-4. And Matthews is still around if they’re covered.

The bottom line is if tackle Lane Johnson avoids another suspension, the offensive line will be better than it was last year, when Wentz spent too much time scrambling to find receivers who didn’t get open, resulting in 14 interceptions.

Theoretically, the Eagles should average more than 23 points per game, assuming Pederson can get the right pieces together and find the proper scheme to make best use of his talent.

The challenge is going to be more difficult at running back. How Pederson manages that position also will define him.

For Pederson’s offense to work, the opposition has to respect the run.

Unless Ryan Mathews, coming off a nasty neck injury, has a miraculous recovery, the Eagles lack the between-the-tackles runner to keep defenses honest.

Rookie Donnel Pumphrey (5-8, 180) weighs about 25 pounds less than Mathews and ran out of the I-formation with a fullback at San Diego State. He and versatile vet Darren Sproles, who turns 34 next month, aren’t big enough to pick up the blitzes they’ll attract in single back formations.

The other backs on the roster might not be great fits. Second-year pro Wendell Smallwood (5-11, 201) has a burst but is prone to fumbles and injuries. Rookie Corey Clement (220 pounds) was undrafted.

The Eagles didn’t find the three-down back they sought in the draft, although Pederson said he’s happy with what he’s got.

The good news is Sproles was the only Eagles receiver who earned double teams last year. He’s back. Jeffrey will get doubles. Pumphrey could be a big mismatch. Smith and Hollins have deep speed.

The not so good news is Pederson, the kindred soul entrusted with getting the most out of his players, still has a hodge-podge of pieces.

Pederson tried too hard to win last year. He tried too hard to be aggressive, tried too hard to get the players to believe in him. You could see it in the fourth down decisions.

The Eagles converted their first five fourth down gambles for Pederson last season. They went just 8-for-22 the rest of the way, mirroring their record.

Bob Grotz can be reached at bgrotz@21st-centurymedia.com. You can follow him on Twitter @BobGrotz.